Ovation preps first linear/online hybrid TV offerings

Ovation Digital Arts, the multi-platform artist community that combines YouTube creators and the Ovation TV cable network, is readying its first channel launches.

YouTube creators Kuma Films and David Poland will soon have specials airing on Ovation TV's linear and video-on-demand (VOD) platforms.

"Ovation Digital Arts is committed to developing distribution and monetisation opportunities for creators," said Stephen Dypiangco, VP of Ovation Digital Arts. "We're delighted with the talented artists joining our community, and we are particularly excited to announce the television specials with Kuma Films and David Poland. Kuma Films' striking videos showcase human artistry in an exceptional way, and David's unique approach to the celebrity interview has been a YouTube favourite for some time. We look forward to introducing even more viewers to their incredible work."

Ovation TV will feature Kuma Films' performance videos, as well as new segments with the filmmakers, in an original TV documentary special that explores their work and creative process. The special is slated to premiere in the autumn on Ovation TV and VOD.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to expand our audience and reach new fans," said Todd Robins, co-founder at Kuma Films. "We're very excited to be working with Ovation Digital Arts on this project and to expand our brand from YouTube to television."

Also, working with David Poland, Ovation TV has developed a series of specials called Celebrity Conversations, based on his YouTube channel DP/30: The Oral History of Hollywood. The specials will spotlight actor Jake Gyllenhal and director Antoine Fuqua to start; more specials are in the works and will premiere throughout the year and will also be available on VOD.

"Ovation has a compelling group of talented artists and creators producing meaningful content every day," continued Dypiangco. "Rooted in the arts, Ovation is committed to investing in these creators through a variety of funding, programming and distribution deals meant to complement and extend their successful efforts to television and support them as artists."